Ter Haar, Wianne, Bosdriesz, Jizzo, Venekamp, Roderick P, Schuit, Ewoud, van den Hof, Susan, Ebbers, Wolfgang, Kretzschmar, Mirjam, Kluijtmans, Jan, Moons, Carl, Schim van der Loeff, Maarten et al (show 2 more authors)
(2023)
The epidemiological impact of digital and manual contact tracing on the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in the Netherlands: Empirical evidence.
PLOS digital health, 2 (12).
e0000396-e0000396.
Abstract
The Dutch government introduced the CoronaMelder smartphone application for digital contact tracing (DCT) to complement manual contact tracing (MCT) by Public Health Services (PHS) during the 2020-2022 SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. Modelling studies showed great potential but empirical evidence of DCT and MCT impact is scarce. We determined reasons for testing, and mean exposure-testing intervals by reason for testing, using routine data from PHS Amsterdam (1 December 2020 to 31 May 2021) and data from two SARS-CoV-2 rapid diagnostic test accuracy studies at other PHS sites in the Netherlands (14 December 2020 to 18 June 2021). Throughout the study periods, notification of DCT-identified contacts was via PHS contact-tracers, and self-testing was not yet widely available. The most commonly reported reason for testing was having symptoms. In asymptomatic individuals, it was having been warned by an index case. Only around 2% and 2-5% of all tests took place after DCT or MCT notification, respectively. About 20-36% of those who had received a DCT or MCT notification had symptoms at the time of test request. Test positivity after a DCT notification was significantly lower, and exposure-test intervals after a DCT or MCT notification were longer, than for the above-mentioned other reasons for testing. Our data suggest that the impact of DCT and MCT on the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in the Netherlands was limited. However, DCT impact might be enlarged if app use coverage is improved, contact-tracers are eliminated from the digital notification process to minimise delays, and DCT is combined with self-testing.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Biodefense, Vaccine Related, Prevention, Emerging Infectious Diseases, 3 Good Health and Well Being |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 09 Apr 2024 10:08 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Apr 2024 13:59 |
| DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000396 |
| Open Access URL: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000396 |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3180221 |
Dimensions
Dimensions
